THE FREE STATE CAMPAIGN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1900, Page 5

THE FREE STATE CAMPAIGN.

PHILLIPOLIS OCCUPIED.

BURGHERS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS.

LORD ROBERTS' PROCLAMATION.

CLEMENCY NOT EXTENDED TO REBELS.

ENGAGEMENT AT LADYBRAND.

Gatacre's Cavalry Pursuing the Ensmy.

MAFEKING SAFE ON MARCH 13.

FIGHTING IN NATAL

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LONDON, March 26

The Tasmanians. and Eimington Scouts in the van of General Clements

force were the first to enter Phillip-

olis, in the southern part of the Free ' State, 15 miles north-west of Norval's Pont.

Later on General Clements entered the town, the Dragoons with drawn swords acting- as an escort..

After General Clements had read Lord Roberts' pi-oclamation, the burghers surrendered their arms and took the oath of neutrality.

Lord Eoberts' proclamation calling Upon the Boers to surrender, and Tecommending them to trust in the clemency of the British does not apply to rebels.

He offers leniency to burghers who tvere misled by President Steyn if they reconsider their action and disarm.

When General Clements entered tPhillipolis he read the proclamation to the burghers, announcing that, those, swearing neutrality if they had taken no leading part in the policy of republics or in hostilities would be allowed to return to their farms.

The late Government at Bloemfonffcein, said General Clements, would never be reestablished.

Th burghers listened carefully and then surrendered their arms.

The landdrost. and sheriffs were reappointed to their offices.

. A number of Colesberg rebels who had taken shelter in-the town were arrested.

Commandant Olivier's force of Boers Supported by fifteen guns is reported to occupy a position north of. Ladybrand, due east of Bloemfontein, on the Free State border.

Other reports from Ladybrand say that Commandant Olivier has deserted his laager, and that the enemy are flying wildly with General Gatacre's cavalry in hot pursuit. Renter's correspondent states that the resistance at Kroonstad and elsewhere is designed to cover the enemy's ultimate -withdrawal from Transvaal territory. Renter further explains that the long range guns now at the front ate required for the defence of Pretoria. General Sir Porestier' Walker, the Commander at Capetown, has arrived at Norval's Pont. DURBAN, March 2G. .The colonists of Natal are excited to a dangerous degree in view of the likelihood of. the disloyal element of the population escaping punishment* altogether.